At the end of the course, the student is able to:1.explain the importance of nutrition during development, healthy aging, during brain disease, and in relation to cognition;2.select appropriate literature to compose a grant proposal addressing novel scientific research questions and hypothesis;3.critically judge, and debate grant proposals;4.design and perform an experiment with emphasis on food on female reproductive behaviour;5.analyse and evaluate the obtained data and results from their own experiments.

Omschrijving

The major incentive of the Nutrition, Brain Development and Cognition course is getting acquainted with the aspects of nutrition in brain development and cognitive functioning, in relation to health and general neuroscience aspects.The Lectures include:1) Basic principles of brain development (2 HC) (Olivier)2) Basic principles of cognition (2 HC) (Havekes)3) Nutritional influences on epigenetic alterations in the placenta (2 HC) (Plösch, UMCG)4) Early-life programming of cognitive function and the role of nutrition (2 HC) (Korosi/Olivier, UvA)5) Nutrition and Alzheimer disease (2 HC) (vd Zee)6) Sleep and nutrition (2 HC) (Havekes)7) Healthy aging and nutrition (2 HC) (vd Zee)8) Effects of meals on cognition (1HC) (vd Zee)9) Modulation of amino acids-deficient diets (1 HC) (vd Zee)10) Role of Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in brain and cognitive function (2 HC) (Olivier)11) Micronutritions in the brain (2 HC) (Havekes)Aside from lectures, students will write in small groups (max 4 students) a grant application. This includes an introduction (explaining the state of art), description of experiments, innovative aspects, and the social impact. The students will present their application to a broader audience of other students. One proposal will be picked to receive the grant, therefore all students will present and defend their proposal in a debate-style setting. After a short explanation a debate will take place, and students are required to ask critical questions to each other.Students will also prepare and conduct an experiment in Drosophila melanogaster. Because of the nutritional cost of reproduction, different kinds of food (selected by the students) is assessed for their influence on female sexual receptivity. To achieve this, students have to read literature and prepare a hypothesis driven experiment based on literature. The results of the experiment need to be analyzed, described in a report and presented to a larger audience

Practisch werk (PR), Presentatie (P), Schriftelijk tentamen (WE), Verslag (R)
(The final grade exists of an exam (ST, ST-MC, 50%), grant writing (V,20%) and presenting (P, 10%) and designing and performing an experiment including report writing (PR and V, 20%). The presentation of the grant application will be graded by peers (50%) and teachers (50%). To pass the course a grade of at least 5.5 for each item (exam, grant writing, report writing, and presenting) is required)

The course unit assumes prior knowledge acquired from Biology or Life Science-oriented programs.

Opmerkingen

Max. number of students: 50 This is a MSc. Biomedical Sciences course unit: see student portal for priority regulations.

Attendance for the labs and meetings related to the labs are mandatory. Likewise, the students are required to attend the presentations of the grant proposals. Missing labs or not attending these presentations could lead to a failure to pass the course.